ArtSeen: A Conversation with Brian Harmon

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Artwork from Harmon's The Fear of Forgetting installation. - Provided

Brian Harmon, an artist and educator from Taylor Mill, Ky., delights eyes with his photographic and installation artwork. Harmon uses his artwork as a means to communicate themes such as memory, memory loss and archiving. He took time out of his schedule to speak with ArtSeen about his artwork and his artistic methods.

ArtSeen: Can you tell us a little about your artwork, artistic process, and what types of artistic materials you use?

Brian Harmon: My work is generally a combination of photography and installation. Large prints, alternative printing surfaces and non-traditional display methods are all in my bag of tricks. I prefer to shoot mostly with medium format film but scan and print digitally.

AS: What inspires you as an artist? Why do you create art?

BH: I am inspired to create art as a means of communication. I’m not the most outgoing or talkative individual. However, I have a lot to say. My art gives me way to speak volumes to a large audience without having to ever open my mouth.

AS: What types of themes, ideas or concepts do you explore within in your artwork?

BH: Recently, I have been exploring the concepts of memory, memory loss and the archive. I have had several close relatives lose their entire personal histories to dementia. The idea of this loss of the precious and how one might store up/insure against such loss has really resonated with me and has become the focus of my work over the past few years.

AS: Are there any artists that inspire you? If so who would they be and why?

BH: Stephen Shore’s celebration of the banal has really inspired my photography. I love how his American Surfaces work first looks so simplistic, yet narratives and cross-connections can spring from the images over and over again.